Wide f1.4/f1.8, best value/best performance?

[Anders Östberg]

Hi there!

This is my first post, so a short introduction: I'm a recent convert to digital SLR (EOS-10D) and have taken up photography as a hobby again after a 10 year hiatus. (I tired of waiting for prints and PhotoCDs). I try to shoot all kinds of subjects, but I'm mostly interested in nature (macro, animals), concerts and candids/street photography.

I've aquired some useful all-round lenses (read: zooms :)) already and now I'm looking for a specialized lens for low light and no flash. I do have the Canon 50/1.4 but would like a wider angle compliment, something in the 20mm to 24mm range, for dimly lit places like pubs and concert halls. My searches tell me there is not too much to choose from. I've found

- Sigma 20/1.8 EX and 24/1.8 EX
- Canon 24/1.4L (at many times the price)

As I need all the light I can get - What's your impression of these lenses at or near wide open? Is the Canon lens significantly sharper than the Sigmas at say f1.8? Is one of the Sigmas significantly better than the other? Is any of them really useful at largest aperture?

Thanks,
- Anders

PS. Please point me to any lens I might have missed!

[slin100]

I recently did a lot of research into 24mm lenses. The Sigmas tend to get favorable remarks but the consensus is that they're pretty soft wide open,

There are some sample images in this Primes vrs 15-30 (http://sd9.org/hardware/lens/primv1530.htm) comparison. You can also find some stuff on photo.net (http://photo.net).

I've seen it argued that softness in low-light settings is not necessarily bad since the background is likely to be dark. But that and some remarks about build quality and a funky AF->MF switch was enough to drive me away. Still, the Sigmas are extremely affordable and may suit you fine.

I ended up getting a 17-40 and settled for using flash indoors. I don't shoot in pubs or concert halls, so flash is ok for me.

[RichardtheSane]

I was looking into a similar thing to you with lenses.
OK, my needs changed and I got the 17-40 too, but I was all set to buy the sigma 20mm f1.8
Have a read about it on www.photographyreview.com - basically uou are getting the same quality of lenses that cost a lot more - a bargain I think!

[msvirick]

I have tried Tameron 19-35, for a low price, it performs well. Then in low lights, and without a flash, it may not do so well.